Vibratory finishing apparatus



g 2, 1966 L. v. ABRAMS ETAL 3,263,373

VIBRATORY FINISHING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1964 JAnU1 OWE 71 96 L %M ATTORNEYS g- 2, 1966 L. v. ABRAMS ETAL 3,263,373

VIBRATORY FINISHING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS L 02113 VAbrccms JAnZhog E1196 L ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent 3,263,373 VIBRATORY FINISHING APPARATUS Louis V. Abrams and J.Anthony Engel, Hagerstown, Md., assignors to The Pangborn Corporation,Hagerstown, Md., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 27, 1964, Ser. No.340,225 14 Claims. (Cl. 51-163) This invention relates to vibratoryfinishing and more particularly to the type of vibratory finishing whichis suitable for treating work pieces of metal or similar material withsolid and/or liquid treating agents for the purpose of deburring,descaling, cleaning, polishing, burnishing, rounding corners and edges,etc.

The vibratory finishing apparatus of the present invention provides animprovement over prior vibratory apparatus. For instance, the apparatusis particularly adaptable for use with liquid treating agents as well aswith solid treating agents for treating the work pieces in a vibratoryoperation for the purpose mentioned above.

In addition, the apparatus of the present invention is most suitable forease of operation in that the vibrating tub of the apparatus need not betilted or pivoted to empty the contents thereof after the operation hasbeen completed. The contents can include liquid and/ or solid treatingagents as well as the work pieces.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a newand novel vibratory apparatus for vibratory treatment of work pieceswherein the material being treated and any liquids contained in thevibratory tub can be discharged from the tub without tilting the tubafter the vibratory operation is completed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a vibratory apparatusof the above object wherein the top edge of the tub has an inwardlyextending ledge to trap and prevent any foreign matter from entering thetub between the top edge of the tub and the lid or cover for the tub.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vibratory tub having adischarge door for the work pieces, and a drain for liquid treatingagents.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vibratory apparatus ofthe above objects wherein the entire tub inner surface, including adischarge door for the tub, is lined with a suitable protective layerwhich prevents damage by the tub contents to the tub inner surfaceitself.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus ofthe above objects wherein a chute extending from the outer surface ofthe tub extends below a discharge opening in the tub whereby the workpieces can :be discharged directly from the tub, onto the chute, andinto a suitable discharge or collecting unit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparentfrom the study of the following description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the apparatus of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a detail partially in section of the lower portion of theapparatus of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a section taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

As seen in the drawings, the vibrator assembly 1 is formed of an opentop tub 3 which has an inwardly and outwardly extending top ledge 5extending along the sides and ends of the tub 3. This ledge affordsadditional protection for preventing foreign matter from working its wayinto the tub between the top of the tub and a cover 7 which locks ontothe externally extending portion of ledge 5 by virtue of the underslunglip 9 which fits over the outwardly extending portion of the ledge 5,and the turn clamps 11 secured to the front of the top 7 which also fitunder outwardly extending portion of ledge 5.

3,263,373 Patented August 2, 1966 Upon rotation of the clamp shafts, thetop 7 is firmly clamped down against the ledge 5.

The tub has vertically disposed end walls 2 and side Walls 4 which sidewalls curve inwardly at the bottom to provide a curved bottom wallportion for the tub.

The tub 3 is fixed to a base support 13 (FIG. 2) by lower extensions 15of the end panels of the tub 3.

As seen in the drawings, a drain spout 17 for draining liquid from thetub is positioned at the free end of the tub near the bottom thereof.The drain. can be of the type where it is opened and closed by rotatingthe spout from close to open position and vice versa. With thisarrangement, the tub can be drained of liquid without tilting orpivoting the tub on its side. Also, other type drain opening and closingarrangements can be used such as a turn handle, etc.

Also, there is a tub discharge door 19 in the lower portion of the tub 3on one side thereof. The discharge door structure is shown in betterdetail in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the wall of the tub 3 flangesoutwardly to form an outwardly extending flanged port 21. The door 19also flanges outwardly at its edges to form a cooperating flange fitwith the flanged port 21 of the tub 3. To seal the connection betweenthe door and the flange port 21, a rubber O ring 123 is sandwichedbetween the flange of the port 21 and the flange of the door 19 as shownin FIG. 3.

As shown better in FIG. 3, the tub 3 has a protective liner 23 whichabuts against the inwardly extending portion of ledge 5 which is formedof a suitable hard metal and which is non-corrosive to liquids which maybe used in the finishing treatment of the work pieces. The metal liner23 also protects the inner surface of the tub 3 from any damage broughtabout by contact with the abrasive media or other finishing media forthe work pieces which may knock or rub against the inner surface of thetub thus damaging the same.

In similar manner, the inner surface of the door 19 also has securedthereto a protective liner 23' which mates with the liner 23 of the tubto form an uninterrupted protective liner surface along all areas of thetub.

The door includes an expansion lock arrangement 25 for locking the doorin place prior to the vibratory operation and for removing the doorafter the vibratory treatment is completed. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, alock plate 27 is placed behind lock blocks 29 secured to the innersurface of the side walls of a chute (to be described later). Byrotating the turn handle 31, and thus its threaded shaft 33, the lockplate 27 can be moved outwardly tightly against the lock blocks 29. Thisaction also forces the discharge door 19 firmly into and against theflanged port 21 of the tub to form a tight fitting connectiontherebetween.

Conversely, upon rotation of the turn handle 31 and its threaded shaft33 in the opposite direction, the lock plate 27 is moved away from thelock blocks 29 and the door 19 may be easily removed from the port 21 togain access to the tub interior.

Another important feature of the invention is the chute 35 which extendsoutwardly from the external surface of the tub and surrounds and fitsunder the discharge door 19. With this arrangement, the material beingdis charged through the tub port 21 will fall into the chute 35 andslide down into a suitable carry away or hoist lift without furthermanipulation. The lower portion of the chute 35 is cradled within afront cut out portion of the platform 13 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

As shown better in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support platform 13 is supportedat its four corners by expandable air cushions 40 which are connected attheir upper and lower ends to the underside of the platform 13 and topedestals 42 respectively. The pedestals 42 are in turn connected tolongitudinally extending rails 44 connected by cross struts 46.

The air bags 40 are connected to air supply and discharge mechanisms(not shown) whereby the height of the air bag can be adjusted byadjusting the air pressure within the cushions. This is done throughcontrol valve 48 (see FIG. 1). By varying the height of the air bag andthe air pressure therein, the rate and degree of gyration or vibrationis varied as desired according to the particular requirements of thefinishing operation. These air bags are better described in Patent No.3,063,207.

Also connected in underslung manner to the undersurface of the platform13 is the vibratory shaft arrangement generally identified as 50 whichprovides a gyratory motion or vibratory motion to the tub 3, beingtransmitted through the rubber air cushions 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, bearing supports or housings 52 are secured to theunderside of platform 13. A driven shaft 54 is supported by the supports52. An eccentric weight 56 is positioned around and secured to thatportion of the shaft lying between the bearing supports 52.

The driven shaft 54 is connected to the drive shaft-:60

by a flexible coupling arrangement 62. The drive shaft 60 is housed in abearing support 64 secured to the rails 44. The drive shaft is connectedwith the electric motor 66 for driving the shaft 60 through a housing 68which contains a variable speed drive arrangement such as a Reevespulley type arrangement. Such a driving arrangement is also describedand disclosed in Patent No. 3,063,207 referred to above.

The supporting rails 44 are in turn supported by air cushions 70 (FIG.3) at each end of the rails. The cushions 70 are housed withintelescoping upper and lower units 72 and 74. This is necessary since theheight of the air cushions 70 can also be varied by providing air supplyconnections with the cushions 70.

In the operation of the above apparatus, the material or work pieces tobe finished is loaded into the tub along with a suitable gn't or otherabrasive media, and a liquid treating agent, if desired. The top 7 isthen firmly clamped on the tub and the electric motor 66 is startedwhich then drives shafts 60 and 54 to place the eccentric Weight 56 intorotation. In view of the eccentric weight, the vibration producingassembly 50 causes the platform 13 to vibrate because of thetransmission of the vibratory motion from the assembly 50 and throughthe air bags 40 which support the platform 13. Since the tub 3 issecured or fixed to platform 13 it also vibrates and the abrasive mediumis made to follow a gyratory or vibratory motion along with the workpieces.

After the operation is completed, the electric motor is turned off, thetop 7 removed and the drain spout 17 opened to remove liquid therefrom.When the liquid has drained, the discharge door 19 is removed and thework pieces along with the abrasive media and removed debris, fines,etc., is discharged through the tub port 21 into the chute 35 and into asuitable hoist or carry away (not shown). Additional vibration is, ofcourse, given through the air cushion floor supports 70 which also pickup and transmit vibratory motion to the tub through the air cushions40'.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

We claim:

1. A vibratory apparatus for treating work pieces comprising a basesupport, a tub supported in upright position by said base, said tubhaving vertically disposed end walls and side walls which curve inwardlyat the bottom to provide a curved bottom wall portion for the tub, aliquid drain spout extending through and from one of the verticallydisposed end Walls, a work piece discharge door which fits in an openingtherefor in the curved bottom wall portion of the tub to engage withsaid wall portion, said door when in closed position mating with theinner surface of the tub to provide a flush uninterrupted inner tubsurface, a top cover for the tub, resilient means connecting the tubwith said base support, and means connected with the base support forvibrating the tub.

2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the top edge of the tub has aninwardly extending ledge, and a protective liner covering the interiorof said tub and a butting against said ledge.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tub is supported by a platform,and air cushions support said platform.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein means are provided forvarying the air pressure within said cushions.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means for vibratingthe tub are fixed to the underside of the platform.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the vibration' producingmeans comprises a driven shaft having an eccentric weight mountedthereon.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for vibratingthe platform and tub is connected by flexible coupling to a drive meanssupported on the base support.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a chute extends out fromthe curved bottom wall portion of the tub around and pnder the openingfor said door in the tub for conveying discharged work pieces into asuitable receiver.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a portion of said basesupport is recessed, and said chute is disposed in said recessedportion.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said opening for saiddoor has an outwardly extending flange, the door has an outwardlyextending flange which fits within and against the port flange, and anexpanding lock means is connected with the door which releases andtightens the door in said port.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the expanding lock meansincludes a 'lock plate which cooperates with a pair of lock blockssupported on the inner Wall of said chute.

12. The apparatus according to claim lwherein the inner surface of thetub and inner surface of the discharge door have a protective layersecured thereto for preventing damage to the inner surface of the tub,said layers mating when the door is in closed position to provide anuninterrupted protective surface along all inner surfaces of the tub.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base support is also supportedby air cushions connected with the floor.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein means are provided forvarying the air pressure in said air cushions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 707,011 8/ 1902Reynolds 2205 7 2,009,126 7/ 1935 Wettlauifer 25972 2,225,537 12/1940Johnson l72-l26 2,576,116 11/1951 Hoffman 259-72 2,822,092 2/1958 Masson2l0l38 2,973,606 3/1961 Brandt 51l63 2,997,814 8/1961 Brandt 5 l73,063,207 11/1962 Moore 51-163 HAROLD D. WHIT'EHEAD, Primary Examiner.

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Examiner.

J. L. TATE, Assistant Examiner.

1. A VIBRATORY APPARATUS FOR TREATING WORK PIECES COMPRISING A BASESUPPORT, A TUB SUPPORTED IN UPRIGHT POSITION BY SAID BASE, SAID TUBHAVING VERTICALLY DISPOSED END WALLS AND SIDE WALLS WHICH CURVE INWRDLYAT THE BOTTOM TO PROVIDE A CURVED BOTTOM WALL PORTION FOR THE TUB, ALIQUID DRAIN SPOUT EXTENDING THROUGH AND FROM ONE OF THE VERTICALLYDISPOSED END WALLS, A WORK PIECE DISCHARGE DOOR WHICH FITS IN AN OPENINGTHEREFOR IN THE CURVED BOTTOM WALL PORTION OF THE TUB TO ENGAGE WITHSAID WALL PORTION, SAID DOOR WHEN IN CLOSED POSITION MATING WITH THEINNER SURFACE OF THE TUB TO PROVIDE A FLUSH UNINTERRUPTED INNER TUBSURFACE, A TOP COVER FOR THE TUB, RESILIENT MEANS CONNECTED THE TUB WITHSAID BASE SUPPORT, AND MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE BASE FOR VIBRATING THETUB.